Truman State University Athletics

R. E. Valentine entered the university in 1914 and was captain of the football team that season. While at the university he also participated in baseball and track. Music was another of his talents and one that he used for the remainder of his life. He played flute and piccolo in the university orchestra and sang in the chorus and in operas. He toured with the Hampshire Male Quartet of Musical Chautauqua. During World War II, Mr. Valentine served in the Navy as a First Class Musician under the direction of John Phillips Sousa. After the war, he directed music in the Marshalltown, Iowa Schools and coached wrestling, developing a Big Ten champion who was in the 125-pound class at the 1928 Olympics. He returned to the university in 1924. During that time he studied voice with Paul Althouse, Metropolitan opera star. He served as voice and music education teacher, holding that position for almost 40 years. He was also a member of the university Athletic Committee for 25 years. He passed away in 1960 and the R. E. Valentine award was established in his memory. The scholarship goes to the men's varsity letter winner with the highest grade point average for the most recent semester.